Coronavirus heroes: Community members, groups produce thousands of masks

This article was originally published by The Centre Daily Times on July 12, 2020. You can read the original at the following link: https://www.centredaily.com/article243195451.html

Six months ago, community members didn’t give any thought to where or how to get face masks. But since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become an essential part of the wardrobe and an important way to protect yourself and others against the spread of the coronavirus.

Throughout Centre County, several organizations, grassroots groups and individuals have stepped up to use their skills to sew and distribute thousands of homemade face masks for those who need them. Below are examples of people and groups who continue to donate their time and efforts to make sure everyone who needs a mask has one.

THE FORMER NURSE

Eat, sleep, sew. That’s the mantra of Diane Kramer of State College. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kramer has hand-sewed almost 7,000 cloth face masks for people who need them. She spends between eight and 10 hours making masks each day and can make a mask in 90 seconds flat.

Kramer has always had a passion for helping others. She worked as a nurse until she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010 and had to medically retire. Though she is no longer on the front lines as a health care worker, she still feels she is called to do her part to keep her community safe.

“I was driving home from Washington, D.C., when the word ‘pandemic’ was said,” Kramer said. “That feeling of anxiety and the unknown and the loss of control, I was really overwhelmed by that. The only way I could deal with it was to start sewing, it was the only way I could … take some sort of action to protect the people I love.”

Kramer joined a grassroots organization called Make Masks 2020. The group includes about 1,000 members across the country. She has donated masks for people in 48 states, receiving some donated materials, but paying for some out of her own pocket.

While undertaking such a feat has cost her time and money, Kramer said she gets a lot of joy out of the process.

“I wanted to be able to say I used this time for good,” Kramer said. “We did it kind of quietly. I wanted something that people could rally around, something that I could rally around.”

THE MAKERSPACE

The Rivet, a community makerspace housed in the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, opened its doors in January to local artists and creators, but quickly felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, shutting down just a few months after opening. However, the group realized they could use their skills for good.

“(They) have this spirit of being able to make anything, often times that means solutions to local problems,” said Michele Crowl, Executive Director. “It was a no brainer.”

Members of The Rivet got to work making personal protective equipment for people in the community. They used their 3D printers and laser cutters to make plastic face shields. The Rivet has provided about 1,000 face shields to 30 local organizations and health care facilities. They’ve also made face shields for local poll workers and volunteers for the YMCA’s free lunch program.

The Rivet’s initiative is funded by donors, board members and the Centre Foundation. This allows them to donate all of the face shields to nonprofit organizations. Crowl said she is overwhelmed by the community support for the initiative and by the tireless efforts of The Rivet workers. She says it speaks volumes to how much the Centre County community cares for each other.

“I can’t imagine that if another need in this community arises that there wouldn’t be community members that would step up and help,” Crowl said.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORT

Masks for Centre County is a mask-making group rooted in social media. The group began on Facebook and grew to over 80 members. So far, members have made thousands of masks for people who need them.

Deborah Coder of Bellefonte said she started the group as a way to give back to a community that has done so much for her.

“I felt that I was paying it forward for everyone that’s ever helped me in this community … people really help each other,” she said.

Coder said the group members range in age from 18 to 80 and there are people from a variety of occupations and local areas. Everyone does their part. People who are skilled in needlework do the sewing, and those who can’t sew help in other ways, like cutting elastic strings or delivering the masks. The group has donated masks to local veterinarians, nursing homes, the YMCA and community members.

Deborah’s husband, Chuck Coder, also helps out. He cuts fabric and elastic and also provides moral support for his wife in her undertaking of such a project. He said he’s taken aback by the generosity of the group’s volunteers.

“The volunteers took their time to help the community any way they could,” Chuck Coder said. “You just don’t see that too often anymore.”

Jennifer Schoch of Bellefonte heard about Masks for Centre County on Facebook and decided to join. She had made baby bibs and hair scrunchies to sell at Musser Farm Market and thought she could put her sewing skills to good use. Schoch has made about 1,000 masks for friends, family and community members.

Schoch says she makes masks for people who don’t know how to sew or people who can’t find materials. She was lucky enough to come across several spools of elastic strings and received donations of fabric from neighbors and friends. She posted on Facebook that she was making masks and got an overwhelming response of people in need. She says every time she thinks she’s caught up with orders, she gets more, but she is happy to do what she can to help.

“I am a firm believer that we were put on this earth to do for others and I love doing for others,” Schoch said. “If I can help someone, that’s what I do.”